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In 1997 it was decided by Dennistoun Central Church Glasgow that they would try to establish a link with a project in a country where faith was still important to society. Egypt was chosen as the country to visit. Later that year one member of Dennistoun Central Church and one from Shortlees Church Kilmarnock went to Cairo to look at various projects. After finding Kolali Presbyterian Church in Cairo they were welcomed by the minister and congregation. They were impressed by Kolali Church’s ministry, particularly to children and women in a crowded and deprived inner city area. The church holds classes in housekeeping and parenting for the women, activities for children and supplies school shoes, clothing and books to children who would otherwise do without. The Church was keen to have a link with Glasgow and identified that training and experience for their youth leaders would be valuable. Financial assistance for the educational materials they supply to the children would also be appreciated. It would also provide an opportunity to become friends with people of a different country and culture and gain some understanding of each other’s society. In 1998 communication links were set up between Kolali Church and Dennistoun Central Church and it was decided that Dennistoun Central would fund the project for five years. Fundraising was started and the Cairo Exchange developed. In 1999 ten people from Dennistoun Central Church, and one each from Croftfoot and Shortlees Churches went to Cairo and took part in all the Kolali Church activities over a period of 10 days. In 2000 eight youth leaders and the Minister from Kolali came to Glasgow on an educational trip and helped with Dennistoun Central and Croftfoot Churches youth programmes, all funded by Dennistoun Central Church. In 2001 eight people from Dennistoun Central , Croftfoot and Possilpark Churches went to Cairo and took part in activities for women, young people and in the Sunday worship at Kolali Church. In 2002 six youth leaders and the Minister from Kolali came to Glasgow and, after they had undertaken child protection training, helped with Dennistoun Central and Croftfoot Churches youth programmes, again funded by Dennistoun Central Church. This year ended Dennistoun Central Church’s five year funding project. In 2003 a further visit to Kolali by a group from Glasgow took place and shared in the activities described above. The visits have been for a period of 10-14 days. Due to lack of funding a visit from a group from Kolali to Glasgow was not possible in 2004. This led to the formation of the Kolali-Glasgow Partnership which has a formal constitution and is recognised as a charity. We aim to seek funding from various sources to secure the future of the Partnership which has been of much benefit to both parties. Both parties are keen that the link is maintained. We have been able to share faith and cultural experiences and understand something of Christian-Muslim relations, an area important in both our societies. In October 2005 an action plan was drawn up by the Glasgow group and was discussed and agreed with a group from Kolali – this took place during a visit by a groups from Glasgow in November 2005. The plan is presented later in this review. The group was invited by the synod of the Nile to share in the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Presbyterian Church in Egypt. We wondered why we were there among church leaders and delegations from different parts of the world-we were there because KGP has put its plans into action and maintained a relationship with the people of Kolali. One of the highlights of the visit was a meeting with the Grand Imam of Egypt, leader of Egypt's majority Muslim population. He is a wise and gracious man who also attended the church service to mark the anniversary. It was in this year that the Partnership was recognised as a Charity. In 2006 one partnership member went to Cairo to find out if there was any other needs they had and help with some funding. In 2007 we had hoped to bring new people from our churches into the KGP and encourage them to visit Kolali with a group later this year – however it would be better for the Kolali Church leadership situation to be sorted out prior to this happening. A small group from Glasgow hopes to visit later in the year. Dennistoun Central and Dennistoun Blackfriars Churches have formed a union and are now called Dennistoun New Parish Church. |